How to copy text from an image in Windows 11

I'm sure it's happened to you before: you're looking at an infographic, a screenshot, or a photo with important data, and you're dying to copy that text without having to... write it all by handWhereas in other systems such as copy text on Mac This is a piece of cake and comes standard; in Windows things have been a bit slower, although we already have more than adequate solutions to get by.

The good news is that nowadays you don't need to be a computer expert to achieve this. Microsoft has been integrating various tools that use the optical character recognition (OCR)allowing us to convert pixels into letters that we can paste into any document, email or note with a simple click, saving us a lot of time and possible typing errors.

Get the most out of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11

If you have the latest version of Windows 11, you probably already have the easiest way to do this. The Snipping Tool app has evolved and now includes a feature called Text actionsIt is essential that you check in the app settings that you have at least version 11.2308.33.0 or higher, updating it from the Microsoft Store if necessary.

To begin, simply open the image you want to process and launch the tool using the shortcut Win + Shift + SOnce you've defined the capture area, click the notification that appears to open the image in the editor. There you'll see the Text Actions button; clicking it will open the system. will automatically analyze the characters and it will allow you to copy all the content or only the part that you manually select.

One very useful detail of this function is that it allows hide sensitive datasuch as email addresses or phone numbers, before copying the text, which is ideal if you're going to share that information in a professional setting. Furthermore, the system is quite flexible and correctly recognizes various languages, including Spanish, regardless of whether the text is on a poster or in a digitized document.

Boost your system with Microsoft PowerToys

For those seeking a more agile and direct experience, PowerToys are a true gem and undoubtedly one of the best productivity apps on WindowsThis is a suite of utilities created by Microsoft for advanced users who want to get the most out of the operating systemWithin this set of tools we find the Text Extractor, a plugin capable of capturing text from anywhere on the screen in real time.

If you don't already have it, you can download it from GitHub or the Microsoft Store. Once installed, you should Enter PowerToys settings, locate the section of Text Extractor and make sure that it's enabled. Best of all, you can customize the keyboard shortcut; by default it's usually Win + Shift + TThis allows the function to be executed instantly without opening additional applications.

The process is very intuitive: you activate the command, select the image area with the mouse, and as soon as you release the button, the text is saved. directly to the clipboardYou no longer have to save the image as a file or open editors; you simply select, copy and paste wherever you want, making the workflow incredibly smooth.

Alternatives to OneNote and online options

If you don't want to install new tools and you already have the Office suite, OneNote is an unexpected ally. This note-taking application has a very powerful OCR engine Integrated. To extract text, simply insert the image into a note, right-click on it, and choose the option Copy text from imageIt is especially useful when digitizing business cards or long, multi-page documents, as it allows you to copy the content of an entire page at once.

On the other hand, if you're using someone else's computer or simply don't want to deal with complicated installations, there are web-based solutionsPlatforms like Editpad allow you to upload a photo and get the text in seconds. While these online tools don't usually offer advanced settings, they work perfectly for quick, one-off tasks without leaving a trace on your computer.

Nor can we forget the mobile ecosystem. If you have the image on your phone, use Google Lens to copy texts Google Photos and other search engines are unbeatable. Simply open the image and tap the Lens button for the search engine to recognize the characters and allow you to copy them to the clipboard, making it easy to transfer the information to your PC via the cloud or messaging apps.

In short, whether you take advantage of the improved Snipping Tool in Windows 11, install the versatile PowerToys, use the power of OneNote, or employ web and mobile tools, extracting text from an image is no longer a problem. You just need to choose the method that best suits your usage frequency. optimize productivity and forget about transcribing manually forever.

Alberto Navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.